Tag Archives: Central Park North

If you love Harlem Meer or Lasker Rink or the northern part of Central Park like we do, this piece of news will (or should) please you. We learned today via a press release about a major redesign of Harlem Meer and the area. An announcement will be made on July 18 at Harlem Meer stating that a partnership is in place “to invest $150 million in a forthcoming Lasker Pool and Rink project that will transform the facility’s relationship with the Harlem Meer and the rest of Central Park.”

According to the release, this yet to be designed major project, funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio ($50 million) and the Central Park Conservancy ($100 million; $25 million committed to date), will allow for broader park use and create new recreational opportunities to better serve the Harlem and East Harlem communities, advancing the City’s equity agenda. To lead the design process, Central Park Conservancy in partnership with NYC Parks, will host community visioning sessions in Harlem this fall; with anticipated groundbreaking in Fall 2020.

As more information becomes available, we will pass it along. In closing, we cannot wait to see the ideas that arise from the design process and renderings.

Free jazz on the Great Hill returns for its seventh year to Central Park North today, August 10th. Activities start at 3 pm. Bring your family, friends, and blanket to enjoy live musical performances by world-renowned musicians, snacks from food trucks and family games and activities.

Performers will include Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, a swing band that’s played everywhere from Dinosaur BBQ to Lincoln Center, and the innovative Bobby Sanabria Big Band, whose album Multiverse was nominated for two Grammy Awards, Best Latin Jazz Recording and Best Instrumental Arrangement.

Food truck vendors Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Truck, and Calexico Cal-Mex Cart will be onsite. Family activities will include the creation of a unique eco-postcard inspired by musical jazz instruments in a hands-on workshop for families, along with lawn games.

WHAT: Great Jazz on the Great Hill

WHO: The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra (swing band that has performed everywhere from Dinosaur BBQ and Lincoln Center)
The Bobby Sanabria Big Band (album Multiverse was nominated for two Grammy Awards, Best Latin Jazz Recording and Best Instrumental Arrangement)

WHEN: Saturday, August 10

TIME: Family activities and performances from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

WHERE: Great Hill in Central Park North. Enter the Park at 106th Street (Duke Ellington Boulevard) and Central Park West and walk up the stairs or ramp to the Great Hill.

To shake up the usual outdoor theatre fare offered in NYC, Elephant Run District is presenting Brecht in the Park for the month of July in Central Park North. Brecht in the Park is three short plays, which will include The Elephant Calf (1926), In Search of Justice (1938) and The Exception and the Rule (1929). Each of the three short plays is connected by the motif of a courtroom drama, where society’s rules are examined and one is judged based on those rules.

Performances are Saturdays and Sundays starting July 6 to the 28th at 4 p.m. (no-show July 13) near the southeast corner of the Great Hill in Central Park. Admission is free to all performances. Donations will gladly be accepted. Take the subway C, 2 or 3 trains to 110 Street.

The organization is partnering with bier international in Harlem at 113 Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd. Bier’s chef is creating special pre- and post-show menu items to serve at the restaurant.

Several news outlets are reporting that Ichiro Suzuki, an outfielder for the Yankees, hit a home run in the rental market by renting an apartment at 111 Central Park North in Harlem. According to SportsGrid.com, Suzuki “is on the cutting edge [by moving to Harlem]. Everyone in New York knows that Harlem is the new Williamsburg.”

Curbed.com, The Real Deal and Business Insider all say that Suzuki is paying $23,500 a month for his new swanky pad that overlooks Central Park, not to mention he cut time off his commuting. Harlem is much closer to Yankee Stadium. The Yankee baseball player was living on the Upper Eastside prior to moving to Harlem.

The best part of this story is that the Japanese-born professional baseball player reportedly beat out Derek Jeter and A-Rod, who were considering buying the same place for a cool $9 million. Ahh, ya gotta love competition on and off the field!

Don’t forget that this coming Sunday (October 28th) is the annual Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail at Harlem Meer, the entrance is located at 110th Street and Lenox Avenue or Fifth Avenue and 110th Street. Bring your little pumpkin, aka kid/child, in their favorite Halloween costume and a carved pumpkin for the sail. The event starts at 4 pm with the Pumpkin Sail starting as the sun sets. It’s a fun time. I enjoy seeing all the kiddos in their adorable costumes.

If you want to live right across the street from the Morningside Park Farmer’s Market in Harlem, now is your chance. Renovated condos called 250 Park View hit the Harlem condo market on Manhattan Avenue this past week. They are located exactly across the street from the park and a stone throw away from Central Park North.

According to its website, 250 Park View has an exposed-brick entryway which leads into 20 elevator-accessible units, a live-in super, security camera and color video intercom. The 20 units range from studios to 3 bedrooms with either park or courtyard views. Studios start at $450k, and the largest 3 bedroom duplex penthouse are going for $999. Wow!

Not sure what to do today, Sunday (July 15) with your Harlem kid? How about taking them canoeing at Harlem Meer? It’s FREE and it is happening today in Central Park North! NYC Parks and Recreation is offering free canoeing from noon to 3 pm at Harlem Meer, which is located near the entrance of Central Park North, aka 110th Street, and Lenox Ave. If you’re coming from downtown, take the 2/3 subway line to the 110th Street subway stop.

I witnessed this a few years ago and blogged about it. It looked so much fun! Whatever you do today, have a wonderful Sunday, Harlem!

Vegan and vegetarian food is in the news lately. Last week, it was about Seasoned Vegan and now its about Maoz Vegetarian. Through a press release, New York Parks and Recreation announced yesterday (June 13) that Maoz Vegetarian is now located at Harlem Meer in Central Park. Maoz Vegetarian’s newest location in Central Park is its seventh location in the City, and the latest opening is the first in East Harlem.

Maoz Vegetarian at the Harlem Meer will operate seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., subject to seasonal changes and weather related circumstances. Four tables for dining are located in front of the brick concession site, which are perfect for casual dining. Maoz Vegetarian is contracted for an eight year term, closing no earlier than mid-November for each operating term.

After the Food & Drink Boulevard event, which is happening tonight, May 10 in Harlem, we may all need to head to the gym for a workout. Or even better, we have the option to head to Central Park North for a workout in the wide open skies of New York City! Physical Equilibrium is offering two boot camp classes starting now. I believe the classes started in late April.

Boot camp class, taught by Erika Moore and who resides in Harlem, meet Tuesday’s at 6:30 am and Saturday’s at 10:30 am at the northwest corner of 110th and Central Park North.

Harlem Meer‘s annual Holiday Lighting is taking place today, Sunday, December 4 from 4-5:30 PM. The event culminates with the lighting of thousands of tiny LED lights strung along the architectural features of Central Park’s northernmost visitor center, the Victorian-style Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. A camera is highly recommended for this event.